"I'll rot in hell or ever I serves the King," he bawled in a great
rage.
But Blood quieted him and those who thought as he did.
"No man need follow me into the King's service who is reluctant.
That is not in the bargain. What is in the bargain is that I accept
this service with such of you as may choose to follow me. Don't
think I accept it willingly. For myself, I am entirely of
Wolverstone's opinion. I accept it as the only way to save us all
from the certain destruction into which my own act may have brought
us. And even those of you who do not choose to follow me shall
share the immunity of all, and shall afterwards be free to depart.
Those are the terms upon which I sell myself to the King. Let Lord
Julian, the representative of the Secretary of State, say whether
he agrees to them."
Prompt, eager, and clear came his lordship's agreement. And that
was practically the end of the matter. Lord Julian, the butt now
of good-humouredly ribald jests and half-derisive acclamations,
plunged away to his cabin for the commission, secretly rejoicing at
a turn of events which enabled him so creditably to discharge the
business on which he had been sent.
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